Smart Objectives Not Hollow Vows

Sledging opponents and making pledges mean little. What matters are actions - non nonsense, sensible, sound and honest actions - actions that are co-ordinated across the different levels of government - District, County and Central - by those with a common understanding who put the communities they represent, not their party, first. The Liberal Democrats have been doing just that within West Oxfordshire and, though it will take time to deliver all that is required, have started to deliver positive change. The three main areas of focus for me within Hanborough and Hailey are:-

1. Being green means protecting our local environment

Green Energy and Solar Farms

While moving to renewable energy is essential this shouldn’t be at the expense of the local environment. The many solar farm proposals in the area, such as Botley West, would be just that and the Libdem councillors and MP’s continue to work hard to ensure the local views against these get taken on by those making the decisions (see here). At the same we continue to promote rooftop solar via the county council loan program for residents installing this, and in the motion we have put to parliament to make developers install solar on all new houses.

Thames Water

Rising bills, sewage dumping and poor water supplies - the Libdems have been leading the way at all levels of government in pushing for government action on Thames Water. Our local councillors recently met the minister responsible asking for special measures to be taken, while our MP’s have raised the need for OFWAT to focus on service not finance in parliament (see here). Consumers must be put first, not shareholders.

Housing Development

While housing development does not fall under the County Council’s remit we continue to work at all levels, District, County and National, to counter rules that work in favour of developers while increasingly excluding the voices of local councils and residents. Housing needs to go in the right places and government inspectors should base their decisions on the number of houses already approved not the number developers say they may then build.

2. Improving transport Infrastructure

Potholes and road safety

The LibDem led OCC has made considerable progress in fixing potholes since the government finally provided the funds necessary to address this nationwide issue (see here), while its focus on road safety has led to significant reductions in serious and fatal accidents (see here). These improvements must continue.

Transport infrastructure A40 corridor.

The issues in transport infrastructure into around Oxford from the west is a national government issue and our LibDem MP’s have begun pushing for significant investment in both rail and road infrastructure to address this. This is supported by the LibDem county and district councillors who have been working on improvements that are within council power and finances that will help alleviate these issues (see here).

3. Delivering care and community services

Service protection and solvency

The council has legal duties to provide care services, services that everyone is likely to use at some point, especially as we get older. But these need funding and central government funding has been decimated over recent years. The LibDems continue to work hard to protect and provide necessary services while remaining one of the few solvent councils (see here).

SEND

The services for those with Special Educational Needs and Disability have been particularly hard hit in previous times and even been derided by some political leaders. But for those that need them these services are absolutely vital and as a result the LibDems have appointed a county councillor specially to be in charge of improving SEND services.

Supporting those struggling with cost of living

The council continues to help and support those who have been increasingly caught in spiraling costs for basics – house costs, water, electricity, gas, food. This is something that needs to be continued.